Caves and Waterfalls of the Balkan Mountains Bulgaria "Some of the finest highland scenery in Europe is found in the Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and Balkan mountain ranges" (The Rough Guide - 1995) The Balkans are the longest chain in the peninsula- over 600 km. Dividing Bulgaria into two distinct halves, the Balkans amaze us with their spectacular natural sights- the river canyons, the rocks, the forests and the high picks (the highest is 2376 m). Our trail takes you to the North side of the Balkans in its central fore-mountains- the land of ancient historical, architectural and extraordinary natural landmarks. The main goal of this carefully designed holiday is to show you the best preserved castles, towers, monasteries and fortresses from the Middle Ages together with the old houses and traditional crafts and finally to leave you fascinated, while staying in front of the unique waterfalls and caves of the Devetaki plateau. All this experience will be supplemented by the fine Bulgarian wines and the delicious traditional dishes, fruits and vegetables, cultivated without any chemical treatment. The relief is various, but mainly smooth and pleasant for horseback riding and will give you the possibility to ride free of strain and to enjoy with all your senses the amazing sceneries of the nature.   Progressive Ride (no camping) Ride with Western Tack Meeting: Sofia airport Airport: Sofia airport Transfer: Included from Sofia airport Riders: Min 4 riders Max 10 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Sofia International Airport (SOF). Pick-up time on Day 1 is available between 12:00pm (noon) and 4:00pm. Drop-off on the last day is between 11:00am and 3:00pm.

Sample Itinerary- subject to changes

Day 1
Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to Sevlievo, placed 190 km northeast from the capital. Arrival in the town of Sevlievo. Accommodation in Helios hotel with a sauna and swimming pool.  Initial Instructions by the guides. Dinner and night in the hotel.

Day 2
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit by car the Ethnographic complex Etara near by the town of Gabrovo. The complex presents a village from the 19th century with the main crafts, developed at that time. The old machines are working with the power of the running water and the present craftsmen produce traditional pots, garments, food, music instruments, tools and souvenirs on them. Arrival at the stable. Saddling the horses and preparing for start, final instructions by the guides.  The target is Dryanovo Monastery, placed in Southeast from Sevlievo. On the way you will ride through hills and beautiful forests with small creeks and lakes. Picnic on a beautiful meadow at the middle of the way.  Night in Skalsko first class hunting lodge, near by the town of Dryanovo, 5 km away from the beautiful Dryanovo Monastery area or in VSK Kentavar
Boutique Hotel in the town of Dryanovo.
Riding: About 23 km (5 hours)

Day 3
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Monastery and the cave “Bacho Kiro” above it by car. Start from Dryanovo Monastery northward to the village of Ledenik, through beautiful meadows and walking along the small canyon and nice oak forests. An interesting tower has been preserved, that was built during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). Picnic next to the village of Kereka at the middle of the way.
Complex "Chiflika" is offering dinner and a shelter for the night.
Riding: About 21 km (4 hours)

Day 4
Breakfast at "Chiflika" hotel. Visit by car to Veliko Turnovo- the capital of Bulgaria in the time of the second Bulgarian Kingdom ( 1185-1396). The next target is the village of Emen. You will ride along Yantra River and the fields and forests till the village. Picnic next to the village of Balvan. Arrival at the beautiful country style.
Dinner and overnight at complex "Imenieto”
Riding: About 22 km (4 hours)

*Highlights: The ancient Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. A well-fortified hill has been the house of the Bulgarian tsar (king) and the aristocracy for 2 centuries. The castle and Orthodox churches that have survived from the Middle Ages are telling stories of one impressive history: the year 1185 began with omens. The winter happened to be so mild that the fruit trees all over Europe blossomed even in January. The Bulgarians connected this "God's omen" with the hope of restoring their state, which had been subdued by Byzantium 167 years ago. The brothers, Assen and Peter, which owned a miraculous icon, fascinated the people in the church on the day of St.Dimitar and leaded them to an armed uprising. Both brothers were kings for totally 12 years and they succeeded to restore Bulgaria almost to the size of its First Kingdom (681-1018). Both brothers were killed by traitors. On the 9 of April 1205 the army of the Fourth Crusade took the capital of Byzantium- Constantinople and founded their own Latin Empire, led by the count of Flanders, Boduen. Tsar Kaloyan (the younger brother of Assen and Peter) attempted to conclude peace with the knights, but they refused haughtily the offered hand. The eventful clash occurred on 14 April 1205 near to Adrianopolis (present Edirne). The army of count Louis was defeated and the Emperor Boduen was captured and taken to the capital Veliko Tarnovo, where later died.

Day 5
Breakfast at the hotel. Start in northwest direction to the village of Krushuna. Riding through beautiful forests with meadows and fields towards the Devetaki plateau with its extraordinary caves, waterfalls and lakes. Picnic on the shade near by the village of Dimcha.
Night in Karpachevo guesthouse “Ongul”.
Riding: About 45 km (7-8 hours)

Day 6: (Short day for horses & riders!)
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Visit by car to the remarkable Devetaki cave, placed 15 km from Krushuna.  A part of the movie “The Expendables 2” with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis was captured in the cave in Nov.2011. Lunch at the guesthouse. Walking up to the amazing Kroushuna’s Waterfalls coming from the caves with the springs. Visit on a horseback the Stalbitsata cave- ride for 1.5 hours on the beautiful paths of Devetaki plateau above the waterfalls.
Dinner and night at the guest house.
Riding: About 1.5 hours

*Highlights: Krushuna's Waterfalls- a unique natural water cascade, whose sparkling waterfalls consist of many shoots and small basins. The region is green and wild with a large variety of plant and animal species. This picturesque area is rich of limestone caves with springing streams and rivers. The biggest cave, called Boninska, contains the longest underground lake (800 m) in Bulgaria. The territory of Krushuna’s Waterfalls is a National park.

Day 7
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Riding from Karpachevo village to the vertical cave”Garvanitsa” on the plateau, then ride to the lake of Kramolin where we can swim in - with and without the horses. Rowing with canoe. Picnic at the lake. Riding forward to the bigger lake formed from Rositsa river where the ride is finishing and horses &riders are transported to the stable.
Dinner and night at the hotel nearby the stable
Riding: About 33 km (6 hours)

Day 8
Breakfast at the guesthouse. Leaving for Sofia. Departure from the Airport of Sofia.  

Additional activities: bow-shooting, swimming in a lake with the horses, rowing with canoe, cultural tour around the historic landmarks, visit to Devetaki plateau caves and special party night. Massages are available every night upon request and against a small additional payment.

                                        Veliko Tarnovo area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	41	45	54	63	73	80	84	85	76	65	53	44
Average Low Temperature (°F)	25	27	34	43	51	58	61	60	53	44	35	27
Average High Temperature (°C)	5	7	12	17	23	27	29	29	24	18	11	6
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-4	-3	1	6	10	14	16	16	12	7	2	-3

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Marked by 4 distinct seasons, Bulgaria enjoys a generally favorable climate. Although located at the same latitude as southern New England, Bulgaria's climate is noticeably more temperate.

Summer
Summers are typically hot and dry, but rarely oppressive, with moderate relative humidity. Always lit by the sun Bulgaria has between 2200 and 2500 hours of sunlight per year. Along the Black Sea Coast the climate is maritime, the Mediterranean Sea cooling summer temperatures compared to the interior of the country.

Winter
Winters are cold but not bitterly so. In the south and Black Sea coastal regions, Mediterranean influences temper the harsher continental climate of the interior. The country's half-dozen mountain groups also play a significant part in determining regional variances. 

 

This list is only a guideline for you

Hidden Trails Travel Documents and Trip Voucher (contains important local tour contact info.)

Flight tickets

Passport

Visa (check with your consulate)

RIDING GEAR

Riding pants or Jodhpurs

Riding boots (short) + Minichaps

Riding helmet  (mandatory)

Riding gloves

Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection

Lightweight Rain coat

PERSONAL CLOTHING

Jacket or sweater for cool evenings

Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts

Jeans

Shorts

Underwear and socks

Pyjamas

Bag for dirty clothes

Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes

Swimsuit

ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING

Personal Toiletries

Insect protection

Personal medications

Sore cream (for an emergency)

Sewing kit

Torch/ Flashlight

Adapter for electric appliances

Camera and extra film or batteries

Belt pack

Address book and pen (for postcards!)

Sun glasses with strap

Sun protection lotion and lip balm

Average ratings from 6 tour feedbacks (see details below) Horses: (5) Excellent (4) Very Good (3) Good (2) Satisfactory (1) Not Satisfactory Saddle/Tack: Accommodations: Meals: Host/Guide: other Riders: Name Date carrie cheong 7/25/2013 rony atoun 2/15/2012 rony atoun 8/8/2011 nina tejs jørring 8/1/2010 sharon dr. regev 8/21/2008 dror soffer 8/4/2008

Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights will be spent in different locations. You will be staying in 5 different accommodations total.

Description
All nights are spent in good or luxury hotels and authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere, in double rooms with private toilet and shower. TVs, cleaning services, and WIFI is available at all locations. Swimming pools, massages, and sauna are available in all of the hotels.. Laundry is not available while on the trip.

Night 1: Sevlievo
Night 2: Skalsko
Night 3: Kompleks Chiflika in Emen 
Night 4: Imenieto Complex in Emen
Night 5 & 6: Karpachevo
Night 7: Sevlievo

Room Occupancy
Single supplement is mandatory is we are unable to find another rider to share.


Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8. The hotels and houses provide the breakfasts and dinners and they offer traditional local dishes. The midday meals are in the open-air during the passages and they consist of warm food, beer, cold and warm up drinks. They offer ecologically clean food, international, and traditional Bulgarian cuisine. Wine and beer are included with meals, but no hard liquor.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions given prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		Both Western and English high quality saddles: Ortho-Flex, Podium, Barefoot and other good quality models.
Horses:		Shagya Arabs, East-Bulgarian breed, Anglo-Arabs and other warm blood horses
Pace:		4 to 7 riding hours per day. Usually 40 % walking, 30 % trotting and 30 % cantering. | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(3 to 4 out of 5)    Intermediate
Age:		Min 12	Max 75
Weight:		Max 240lbs / 110 kgs
Riders:		Min 4 riders	Max 10 riders

Pace
Varying from walk on the steeper slopes to a faster pace on the open spaces, which are great for long canters. Usually we do about 40 % walking, 30 % trotting and 30 % cantering. This proportion could be changed according to the requirements and the abilities of the riders. The program includes 6 riding days with 4-7 hours per day in the saddle. We cover about 145 km in total.

Horses
We have Shagya and purebred Arabs, East-Bulgarian breeds, and cross-bred horses with Akhal-Teke blood - all well trained and calm. The height of the horses is from 150 to 165 cm.

Guides
We always have 2 guides per group: one to lead and the other to support the group with a jeep and all of the luggage. The riding guides are experienced and professional and know all the horses and routes well. They have a sound knowledge and awareness of safety, of looking after horses and guests out on a ride. The guides speak English, German or French fluently.

Non-Riders
All the accompanying non-riders will have the possibility to participate in all the non-riding activities of this program: bow-shooting, swimming in lake, canoeing, cultural tour around the historic landmarks and visit of Devetaki plateau caves. Massages are available every night upon request and against a small additional payment.

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents -  EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.

Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:

(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;

(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.

Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).

This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult the embassy or consulate for updated info.